A letter from June 17th, 2016

Dear FutureMe, Remember this day 5 years ago? No? I didn't think so. You won't remember why you were upset at your best friend and your dad, you won't still be hanging onto some misplaced words from your boyfriend that you gave extra meaning to and dwelled on for a week, giving you tension headaches from the stress. Remember this day 5 years ago? No? well, you won't remember TODAY in 2021 5 years from now either. Try to remember that. The little things in life are just the little things. They might be altering your state of mind and physical well being now, ruling your daily thoughts, but in the long run, they won't mean a thing. So why hang onto them now? Either deal with it head on or let it go. What you will remember from this year is the vacation you took with your boyfriend. You'll remember that your friend finally graduated after some ungodly years of attempting it, you'll probably remember the next vacation you have planned, some moments with your family, and you'll smile at these things. So what have we learned here? The little petty things are just that. You know how to deal with these things as you are an AWARE person. You can change your mindset at any moment. It's a powerful thing we can do as humans - we can CHANGE our mood proactively. Concentrate on the things you're grateful for. Ask yourself whether you want to let this go, or address it at some point. If you want to address it, figure out if now is the time or not the time. When it is the time, make a plan. If it's not the time, clear your mind, breathe and choose happiness. If this feels difficult in the moment, always go back to your home base: "What am I grateful for?" because there's always something. In fact, the more you think about, the more you realize you have a lot in the way of blessings. Things in life never go the way we see them going. I know in 5 years I'll look back and think "Well, I never saw that one coming". Because that's how every past 5 years of my life has been. But in the end I've always said, I'm glad I went through it. It taught me so much and shaped me to be who I am. So this moment and every day is just about shaping you as a person. It doesn't have to mean anything in the moment. The meaning could come in years or maybe even never. Just know that you're going through it to be a better you. Hardships in life are required to make us stronger people with character, wisdom and empathy. This thing right now? Whatever you're dealing with - it's shaping you even now. So thank it. Thank your situation, thank the universe and appreciate what you're going through. Remember your motto - "Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows, we'll see." Be skeptical. Be patient. and do not prescribe to 'good' or 'bad'. It just is. You're stronger than you think you are. You know that from your past. I can't wait to see me in 5 years: Lessons learned. Things I've done. New friends I've made and decisions I'll remember sweating over that got me to where I am today. Your life is a mosaic, built piece by piece. Make it beautiful. But most importantly, make it 100% you. I love you. Love, Past Me